Pep explains surprise Sane omission

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has explained why Leroy Sane was dropped completely from the Premier League squad that beat Newcastle.

Sane, 22, has endured a tumultuous time for club and country since his incredible title-winning season with the Citizens.

After scoring 14 goals and registering 19 assists in 49 games across all competitions, the fleet-footed winger was surprisingly snubbed for the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad for Germany.

And despite having a full pre-season with Guardiola, the former Schalke wide-man was a notable absentee from the Spaniard's starting XI in the opening stages of the season, before being completely dropped this weekend.

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"Last game Phil Foden was not in the squad," Guardiola said in his post-match press conference. "I was so sad with Phil as I am with Leroy now.

"We have six strikers and I decided to play with two strikers, we have two wingers plus another one on the bench.

"That's why we decided this game he wouldn't be there. In the next games, he will be ready to play.

"He played 10 minutes [against Wolves], he tried. He was not precise but he tried.

"They convince me, I am satisfied from the moment they run. Mistakes without the ball, taking decisions is part of the process."

Guardiola was then asked if he was completely happy with Sane's attitude, on and off the pitch, and the manager replied: "Yes."